MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Jan. 15, 2013) – Philippine officials said 39 Filipinos, including an infant, arrived home on Tuesday after a gruelling escape from the strife-torn Syria.
Officials said the Filipinos travelled along icy roads and through heavy traffic from Damascus to Beirut in Lebanon and brought to the Masna’a border by members of the Philippine Embassy.
They spent the night at a Caritas shelter in Baabda assisted by personnel of the Philippine Embassy in Beirut who made representations with Lebanese Immigration authorities to facilitate the repatriates’ transit through the country’s territory, officials said, adding the total number of repatriates has reached 3,349.
The Department of Foreign Affairs also urged all Filipino workers who are still in Syria to seek immediate repatriation as the violence in the country remain unabated.
“They may contact the Embassy for assistance at 963-11-6132626. The family members of Filipinos in Syria may also provide the DFA with latest information regarding their loved ones’ current location and contact details in Syria. Those who wish to do so may call the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs at (02) 834-4996 or the DFA Action Center at (02) 834-3333,” the DFA said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
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